Deprived of three starters in Zion Williamson (hip), Brandon Ingram (concussion) and even Herb Jones (knee), the Pelicans received Luka Doncic’s Mavs tonight. Opposition not easy but the guys from NOLA stood up and won on the wire (113-11) thanks to an excellent collective effort, symbolized by eight players above 10 points including 14 points and 11 assists for CJ McCollum and 22 points for Trey Murphy III who achieves a “perfect” 8/8 on shots including 4/4 on 3-pointers and even 2/2 on throws!
Well launched by Jose Alvarado who instills a 19-8 from the start, the Pels raced in the lead despite the efforts of Luka Doncic, in interception to slip away at the layup, or in the pass sitting on the ground for Christian Wood after an unintentional slip. The latter, as well as Spencer Dinwiddie and JaVale McGee who combine at the alley oop, try to take over from Doncic but the Mavs are dropped at -10 while the Australian rookie from NOLA, Dyson Daniels, scores his first career points, including a “stepback three” full of nerve.
Dallas will erase a 16-point deficit to equalize just before halftime (66-64 for NOLA) thanks to a 10-0 driven by Doncic, but the Pels will take the lead after returning from the locker room, thanks to a big dunk from Nnaji Marshall first then another from Murphy in the traffic, this same Murphy having shot an arrow behind the bow just before.
Behind his offensive trident composed of Doncic, Dinwiddie and Wood, the Mavs are however playing their chances thoroughly. They in turn take control of operations, with a +7 advantage in the final quarter. But McCollum sounds the revolt for the locals. Devonte ‘Graham thus restores the advantage to his team 7 minutes from the end with 3-points, before re-offending, still from afar! The Mavs will not let go, with Dinwiddie in contact in particular, but the last shot from Doncic will miss the target (113-11): “I probably could have found a better shot, but that’s the way it is,” concluded Doncic. “It’s difficult to go to the lay-up with 2 seconds on the clock, and that’s why I took an outside shot. »
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Pels have a deep squad. Without their two potential All Stars, nor one of their best defenders, the Pelicans did not tremble and their collective response is as impressive for its fans as it is reassuring for its staff. With eight players at 10 points or more, Coach Green could be proud of his flock who shared the ball well and showed all their moral resources, like Jose Alvarado who started the hostilities with 13 points on his first 11 minutes of play: “That’s how we build a team that can win the title, knowing that we don’t have our best players but by winning against a very good team. it builds confidence in the whole team and the guys played liberated. »
– Dallas struggles to get started. Despite 37 points from Doncic, and 23 for Wood and Dinwiddie, the Mavs failed to win in New Orleans, suffering a second loss in three games: “We slacked off and we didn’t play at our level”, Wood lamented. In front of the score in the last quarter, Dallas suffered a fatal 7-0, which again demonstrated the defensive friability of the Texans (already seen in the first quarter).
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Luka Doncic. Apart from his 2/13 which hurts the eyes at 3-point, Luka Doncic has still been in the oven and the mill for the Mavs. With 37 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, 16/30 on shots, the “Don” was as often unstoppable offensively, whether to go to the circle gently or to shift a teammate unmarked. He missed the winning shot again, a difficult 3-point shot…
✅ Trey Murphy III. Author of a perfect game at 8/8 on shots for 22 points, Murphy perfectly embodied the collective effort of the Pels who never broke up. Key player in the comeback of his team in the 3rd quarter, Murphy did not spare his mount with 36 minutes of play and a high-flying performance marked by his big two-handed dunk after a special slalom in the defense (gruyère) of the Mavs.
⛔ Reggie Bullock. The Mavs sniper had not set the sights last night, ending his evening at a small 1/8 on shots including 1/6 from 3-pointers. With more fouls (4) than points scored (3), Bullock got through.
THE FOLLOWING
Dallas (1-2) : trip to Brooklyn, Thursday.
New Orleans (3-1) : trip to Phoenix, Friday.
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